| Game Time | 8:00 pm EST |
| Los Angeles Lakers Line | +4.5 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves Line | -4.5 |
| Total | 225.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
The Lakers are travelling to Minnesota to visit the Timberwolves in this second leg of a back-to-back. This will be the second stop of a lengthy five-game road trip for the Lakers, who have not been playing their best on the road. The Wolves have also been struggling lately in an underwhelming season so far. Minnesota has won only once in their last five games, and have covered just twice in their last 10, so both teams need this win to boost their morale.
Below is a detailed analysis for Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves game.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report: Joe Ingles is day-to-day.
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report: De’Angelo Russell, Jaxon Hayes, Bronny James, Austin Reeves, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are out.
Minnesota Timberwolves Recent Form and Trends
The Timberwolves have a 9-10 record this season and are sitting on the 11th place of the West. The Wolves are 6-13 against the spread and 11-8 in over/under. Minnesota has a 6-4 home record, but just 2-8 against the spread, with a +4-point differential. The Wolves are 3-7 in their last 10 games and 2-8 against the spread. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 home games.
The Timberwolves are coming off a hard-fought 93-92 victory over the Clippers, in an ugly game dominated by strong defenses, as both teams shot with 43% and 41% from the field. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s offense with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Edwards leads the Timberwolves both in scoring with 27.7 points, adding 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Julius Randle adds 21.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game with his new team.
Los Angeles Lakers Recent Form and Trends
The Lakers have a 11-8 record this season and are tied with the Mavericks on the 6th place of the West. LA is 8-11 against the spread and 9-10 in over/under. The Lakers have a 4-5 road record, but 3-6 against the spread, with a -5.6-point differential. The Lakers are 1-4 in their last 5 games, and 1-6 against the spread in their last 7. Under is 4-0 in their last 4 games.
The Lakers are coming off a 93-101 loss by the Thunder, even though they shot better from the field (45% to 41%). Rookie Dalton Knecht led the Lakers’ offense with 20 points with 6 triples as he is now starting for the team.
Anthony Davis leads the Lakers both in scoring with 28.4 points and in rebounding with 11.6 per game, as he is having one of the best seasons of his career so far. LeBron James adds 22.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and a team-high 9.1 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Wolves average 111.2 points per game, which is 19th in the league. They shoot 46.3% from the field (16th) and with 37.1% from beyond the arc (11th). Defensively, they allow 110.3 points per game, which ranks 8th in the NBA.
Offensively, the Lakers average 114.4 point per game, ranking 10th in the league. LA is shooting with 48.1% from the field (7th), and 36.3% from beyond the arc (13th). Defensively, they have been less effective, allowing 115.7 points per game, which ranks 24th in the NBA.
In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Lakers won 110-103 at home. The Wolves are 4-1 in their last 5 home meetings against the Lakers, but are 0-3 against the spread in their last 3 meetings in Minnesota. Under is 4-2 in their last 6 meetings in Minnesota.
Prediction
In this Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction, the Wolves are coming as -4.5 home favorites. I don’t trust the Lakers on the road, especially on the second leg of a back-to-back, but the Wolves are the worst covering home team in the NBA this season. Taking a look at the total, the Wolves have been involved in some low scoring games lately, and their previous meeting against the Lakers this season had only 213 total points, going 10.5 points under the total. With the Lakers playing their second game in two nights, I expect a low scoring game and I’m taking the under in this one.
Nick’s Pick: Under 225.5